News Release

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Teen Shot to Death by Another Teen NR11490pv

Los Angeles. Two detectives arrested a 16-year-old boy under the 3rd Street Tunnel just moments after he shot a rival gang member yesterday afternoon. The victim was also 16 years old and was shot multiple times in the torso. He died later at a local hospital after undergoing emergency surgery.

Both boys had attended a continuation high school class held in a room of the senior center at the Angels Plaza just above the 3rd Street tunnel. “According to witnesses, both boys were members of rival gangs and a dispute developed during the school day,” said Lt. Paul Vernon, commanding officer of LAPD’s Central Detective Division. “They took their fight off campus and squared off in the tunnel.”

Two detectives heard several gun shots around 3 p.m. as they drove past the intersection of Hill Street and the entrance to the 3rd Street tunnel. They stopped the 16 year old as he walked away from where his rival had collapsed and removed a revolver from his waistband. He was later booked for murder and detained at Eastlake Juvenile Hall.

Paramedics rushed the wounded teen to a nearby hospital where he died about two hours later.

“Both these kids lived in South Los Angeles and were affiliated with rival Hispanic gangs,” explained Lt. Vernon. “Their connection to downtown was in attending classes as part of what the Los Angeles Unified School District calls Central High School, which holds classes across the city for at-risk youths.”

Anyone with additional information on this crime is urged to call Detective Thayer Lake, Central Homicide Unit, at 213-972-1254. During non-business hours or on weekends, calls should be directed to 1-877-LAPD-24-7 (1-877-527-3247). Anyone wishing to remain anonymous should call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (1-800-222-8477). Tipsters may also contact Crime Stoppers by texting to phone number 274637 (C-R-I-M-E-S on most keypads) with a cell phone. All text messages should begin with the letters “LAPD.” Tipsters may also go to LAPDOnline.org, click on "webtips" and follow the prompts.